Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share in the relief being felt in rural areas throughout the country today at the positive decision by the Government not to proceed with the sale of Coillte's harvesting rights. In addition, I very much welcome the proposed merger with Bord na Móna, which will create a substantial and streamlined State company operating in the bioenergy and forestry sector.

Senator Healy Eames raised an issue of grave concern to homeowners in her comments on tracker mortgages. There must be clarity from Government in this regard. I call for a debate on the activities of the banks in general and especially their treatment of customers. I raised the issue recently of how small businesses, particularly in rural areas, are being badly impacted by the failure of banks to top up ATM machines at weekends, thus leaving customers without access to cash.

We in this Chamber have had significant business to discuss in recent days, including Senator Feargal Quinn's impressive Private Members' Bill, with the House sitting until almost 9.30 p.m. last night. It is disappointing that RTE has not seen fit to cover even one second of that business. The people of this country will decide later in the year whether or not this House should be abolished. It seems, however, that the national broadcaster has already decided that Seanad Éireann is irrelevant. That is not good enough and I call on RTE to review its broadcasting policy as it applies to the Oireachtas in order to provide fair and accurate coverage of proceedings in this House in the coming weeks and months.